Circuit-interrupter.



J. N. MAHONEY.

cmcun INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- L 9]?!- 1 ,1 99,477" PatentedSept. 26, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I. u"

INVENTOR B 'j ATTORNEY J. N. MAHONEY.

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER.

APPLICATION man FE'B. 1. 1913.

1,199,477, Patented Sept. 26, 191%.

- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J'QSEPH N. M EONEY, or WILKINSIBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, AssreNon To wnsTINei; y'HousE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING ooMrANY, A conronA'rroN or rE sYt VANIA.

To all do ham it may concern Be it known that I, J OSEPH N. MAHoNnY,

J a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsbur in the county of Allegheny and State of ennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Circuit-Interrupters, of which the'following is a specification.

My invention relatesto circuit interrupt-- ers and ithas special reference to'interrupters of the so called oil type that are particularly adapted to handle large amounts of current at high voltages.

fOne of the objects of my invention is to simplify and improve the operation and construction'ot devices of the above indicated character, and to provide a device that shall be compact and rugged in construction and particularly adapted to perform its intended functions With reliability and efl'ectiveness under severe operating conditions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit interrupter of this general class that is adapted'to be operated electri cally. with great rapidity and positiveness, during both its .closing and operating movements.

'Anotherobject of my invention is to provide adequate and effective means for cushioning the heavy moving parts and absorbing'theshocks incident to the opening and closing operations.

Another object ofmy invention is to provide .an oil containing receptacle for the relatively movable. contact members that shall bei'of great strength and durability in order '51.; I ];::In' the prior art, considerable difficulty has sheen-encountered with circuit interrupters of ctlie classl that has been employed in generat- Specification of Letters Patent. I

CIBGUIT-INTERRUPTER.

ing or distributing systems of large. capacity and high voltage, by reason, of the relatively, weak mechanical construction otthelappa ratus as well as the'lackot provision to suit the requlrements of an interruptergthat,is.

subjected to severe operating conditions. glt

Patente d 26, 11916 i'f Application filed. February 1,1913. Serial No. 745,618. i i

terrupters of this class are relatively weak I in structure and operate too slowly for best results. Y

j According to my invention, therefore l have made particular provision for securing a rapid. acceleration otthe moving parts during the opening operation in order that the clrcuit may be mterrupted in a minimum time interval, and .have also improved and strengthened the structuraldetailsbf the containing tanks 'torender them better adapted to Withstand excessive pressures. By reason of the rapid-movement ofthe heavy movable parts, ithasalsoebeen necessary to provide means-for retarding'the movement thereof near the end-of the-stroke in order to prevent the parts from being subjected to severe joltsgand shocks.

These and other features for-improving the construction and operation 013 largecapacity circuit interrupters constitute -;my

present invention andwil'l be hereinafter more fully disclosed and set fort-hin the specification and claims.--- I' 1-; My invention may be best understood-by reference to the accompanying drawings-in;

whicl1- i c z Figure l is a view, partially ins-ideelevation and partially in section, of a circuit interrupter constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is-a planview ofthe';

device shown in Fig. 1. -Fig. 3 is" a view of a portion ofthe device shownin..Figual, the view being taken at right angles to that of Fig. 1 and being shown partially in section. Fig. l is a sectional view taken'alongluk 5 -is' an end elevation of the supporting 'structureof one of the containing tanksyand F 6 and 7 are enlar ed views, respect vely in section and in plan, of certaindetails of construction shown in Fig. 1.

ating electromagnets 7, a plurality of auxiliary accelerating devices 8, a latching device 9, a tripping, device 10, a plurality of dash-pots or shock absorbers 11 and 11 and a yoke or supporting member 12 from which a plurality of movable contact members 13 are -suspended by means of suspension rods 15 that project through suitable openings in the bed-plate 1. The several movable contact members 13 are adapted to cooperatively engage a plurality of stationmy contact terminals 1 1 in a well-known manner. p

The bed-plate 1 is supportedin position by several walls or partitionslti of brick,

cement or other suitable insulating material, thereby providing a plurality of cells or compartments 17 to receive the several tanks 2 and to separate'them, one from another, in accordance with well known 'con- I tormed insulatlng barrier 31 1s dlsposed struction.

The apparatus pertaining to each of the poles of the interrupter andthe structure and arrangement of it's'component parts arealike and each comprises-an expansion chamber 3, which is suitably suspended beneath the bed-plate 1 by means of a plurality of insulating supports 19'which' are suit' ably attached to the bed-plate 1, and the upper portion of the expansion chamber 3. The tank 2 is constructed of sheet material and serves to contain an insulating 'oilin which the cooperating contact, members 13 and 14 are immersed. The tank 2 is pref erably of elliptical form, and the main portion thereof is fitted within an outer flange 2 of the bottom portion in order to provide a rugged and strong structure. To suspend the tank2 firmly'from the expansion chamber 3 and to clamp. the chamber and the tank rigidly together to form a unitary and strong structure, bolts 20, tie rods 20 and a clamping plate 20? are employed. The bolts 20 are'used in accordance with wellknown practice and the tie-rods 20 cooper.-

' ate 'vvith'the clamping plates 20 and suitable parts of the expansion chamber whereby the tank 2 is detachably held-securely in position and prevented from being blown apart from the expansion. chamber. A flange construction or joint 21 is employed between the lower portion of the'expansion chamber 3 and the upper portion of the tank 7 2 to strengthen and reinforce the tank 2 and toprevent its being expanded by the high riod of interruption.

Projecting through the upper wall 22 of the expansion chamber 3 are a plurality of insulators 21, through which conductors or cables 25 extend. The ends of the cables 25 terminate in the stationary contact terminals 14 which are adapted to be engaged by the respective ends of the movable contact member '13 when the interrupter is in its closed position.

The movable contact member 13 preferably comprises a' main contact member 27 pressure developed within it .duringthe of laminated copper and a plurality of auxiliary arcing contact terminals 28, which are adapted to cooperate with the stationary contact terminals 14 in the usual. manner for the purpose of accomplishing the final interruption of the circuit, as will be readily understood. The specific structural details of the stationary contact terminals 14 and the movable contact member 13 pertain only indirectly to my present invention, and any other suitable devices for performing -the same functions and securing the same results may be employed i The tank- 2 is ubstantially filled with an insulating oil '80 wl'1i'ch. completely immerses the cooperating contact members 13 and 14 and an elliptical or otherwise suitably within the tank between it and the contact member's. Y

The expansion chamber 3 is of liberal capacity and is reinforced ina lateral direction by means of webs orcross supports 32. Furthermore,,-'theexpansion chamber 3, is

provided with an upwardly projecting tube or pipe 33' which serves to communicate to the outside atmosphere, thereby permitting Each ofthe another, softhat an obstructed tortuous p'ath to the atmosphere .is provided. Thus any pressure withinthe expansionchamber 3 may be relieved, while the oil is prevented frombeing thrown out at the same time.

The several suspensionrods 15 are of'like.

construction and each preferably comprises upper and lower sections 85 and 36,, respec tively, of insulating rods, and an 'intermediate portion' 37 of steel or other material having a relatively small sectional area. The intermediate steel rod 37' projects into the expansion chamber 3 through a bearing or stufling box38, whichclosely surrounds the rod and prevents communication to the may form the entire supporting rod above atmosphere. The rod 37- need not necessarily constitute an intermediate section but the lower section 36. The rod 37 must however be of as small sectional area as is possible, consistent with the requisite strength, for the purpose of reducing the area upon which the pressure in the chamber may act when the separation of the movable cooperating contact members is effected. Thus, the resultant pressure acting against the movable members is reduced to a. minimum, thereby permitting a rapid acceleration of the moving parts at the instant of circuit interruption. This feature is of particular importance as it contributes toward quick operation of the interrupter, which is necessary in order to rupture large amounts of current at comparatively high voltages without undue disturbance of the distributing system and withoutdanger of accident or damage to the interrupter itself.

The operating mechanism 6 may be of any suitable type that is adapted to secure the desired vertical movement of the yoke or supporting member 12 and its attached movable contact members 13. The. operating mechanism shown, comprises a main operating lever embodying a plurality of parallel arms 41 that are severally pivotally mounted intermediate their ends upon pins 42. One end43 of each of the arms 41 is pivotally connected to one of the arms of a supporting member or lever 44 substantially midway between its ends by pins 43;

The arms 45 are substantially parallel and the outer ends 46 of the same are pivota-lly connected to the upper end of a link 47 by means of a pin 48. The lower end 49 of the link 47 is pivotally attached to the bedplate 1 in a. suitable manner. The yoke or supporting ;member 12 is disposed between the arms 45 :of the supporting member 44 and is pivotally associated with the free ends thereof through the agency of a pin 51.

The outer ends of the operating levers 41 are provided with segmentalportions to which chains or other suitable flexible members 53 are attached. The other end of each of the chains 53 is fastened to a movable core member 54 of each of the electro-magnets 7 which are adapted toactuate the operating mechanism hereinbefore described during the closing operation.

The particular structure of the electromagnets 7 forms no material part of my present invention and I do not wish to be re stricted in this respect inasmuch, as electromagnets of any Well-known construction may be employed.

Each of the segmental portions 52 is provided'with a projecting member or lug 56 ,to which. is pivotally connected one end of a rod 57 that iScentrally disposed within a tubular member 58, the lower end 59 of which is pivotally attached to the bed-plate 1. A heavy coil spring 60 surrounds the rod 57 withinthe tubular member 58 and is adapted, by reason of the structure and arrangement of parts, to be placed under tension during the closing operation and to assist gravity in accelerating the moving parts when the interrupter is opened. I

The latching device 9 comprises links 62, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to the arms 45 by means of the pins 43, while the lower ends thereof are pivotally connected to the upper ends of a plurality of triangular-shaped members 63, having suitable pivotal connections to the bed-plate 1. weighted portion 64, constituting one corner-of the triangular member 63, is adapted to engage an adjustable stop 65. When the interrupter is in its closed position, the links 62 and members. ($3 together constitute a toggle which. is slightly over-set across its dead center position,

thereby restraining the operating mechanism.

The tripping device 10 comprises a bell crank lever 66 which is pivotally mounted upon a pin 67, arms 68 of which are-adapted to engage the upper ends of the members 63 under predetermined operating conditions In order to retard the movement of the movable parts of the interrupter and to pre-,

A suitable electrovent destructive heavy shocks to the mechanism during the opening. operation of the interrupter. a plurality of dash-pots 11 are disposed directly beneath the yoke member 12 on opposite sides of the middlesuspension rod 15'. The several dash-pots 11 may be of any suitable construction and are provided with springsupported piston rods 74 and with adjustable relief valves 75 for the purpose of regulating the action thereof. The several dash-pots 11 are suitably mounted upoma bracket 76 which constitutes an integral part of a plurality of upwardly rojecting supporting members 77. upon the upper ends of which a third dash-pot 11 is mounted to be engaged by the yoke member 12 during the closing operation of the interrupter for cushioning themovable barts.

Assuming the various parts of the apparatus to occupy the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the closing operation is as follows:

Electrical energy isfirst supplied to the opcrating electro-magnets 7 from any suitable source, which, when energized, pull down their respective movable core members and thereby cause a Clockwise rotative movement of the operating lever i0 about its pivoted support-s lfl through the chains, 53.

Thus the outer ends of the operating lever $0 ai'e movd upwardly and, since they are pivotally associated with the supporting memberet at a pointintermediate its 'ends,

it is evident that theinner end 51 thereof is raised. By reason.of.the pivotal mounting of the lllflk 47, the end 51; of the. operating contact ineinberlii During this operation,

{ the n'iovable contact members 13 are Severy the interrupter istripped. \Vhen the several" parts substantially reach their upper .posie'lectro-magnets 7 are operated from alline upon which the voltage varies through a. Wide range,"for the reason-that, it the elec-' 'tro-magnets?should be energized at a par-. ticularly high voltage, an excessive shock would be sustaine'dbythe operating mecha-v and having a plurality of recessed conical ally; brought ,into cooperative "engagement with their stationary contact terminals 14, thus closing'tlie several poles-of the interrupter. yDuring the operation just described, the latching toggle comprising the. links6'2 and is brought beyond its deadcenterpositionf'and thereby serves to niamtain the operatingmechanism in itsclosed position. l urthermore, it will be understood that;= a-s the operating mechanism is being actuated to eflect the closure of the interrupter, power is being stored in the several tension spr ngs '60 to be available for use in rapidly acceleratihg-the movable breaker parts when 'tionse their movement {is retarded and cushioned bythe upper dash-pot 11. This function is particularly desirable when the nis m unless otherwise absorbed In order to'release the interrupter, itis I only necessaryto energize the electroinagnet. (if), either at the will. of the operator or by.

the occurrenceoli predetermiiicd circuit conditions forwhich the electro niagnet is ad-' justed. Thus, the tripping levers are suddenly projected against the locked latcliing toggle, whereby it is collapsed to'permit the operating mechanism to be opened; At the instant the latching toggle is tripped, gravity and the auxiliary power springsGO,

' in which energy has been stored, act inconunction to efl ect' the separation of the cooperating contact members 13 '\I1Cl'14: 1t a 'rapid' rate." Thus, .the circuit suddenly opened and the arc -formed as the contact' members separate is ruptured effectively in J.

an extremely short interval of time. The I .1

downward'movement ot the heavy moving parts is arrested by means of the dash-pots v11, the several parts assuming the positions shown in Fig; 1. I

" Duringv the separation ot'the cooperating -is not destructive to the apparatus.

members 13 and ll under the insulating oil,

a great pressure is produced, as well as a violent lt'ormation of tumbles and gas which rise through the oil and may-escape to the atmosphere through the expansion.-chamber,

\ 3 and the bai'lled opening 33. Furthermore,

by reason of the expansion chamber and. the vent Opening, the pressure produced is.'- largely relieved and reduced to a' value-that More over, byreason of the restricted cross sectional area of the -rodf37 wheretit projects.

into theexpansion chamber there is practically no resultant pressure upon the movable contact inembers 13' to retard their :m ovement. I i lVhile I have shown and described my in- ,vention as embodied in a circuit interrupter having a. plurality of poles and of specific structural details and arrangement and locationof parts, those skilled in the art will readily understand that it is not restricted in this respect and that structures and dewhich do not depart from the spirit and I claim. as-iny. inventionzf r I, therefore, de-.

sire it toybejundersto od that al-l modifications 1. In a circuit interrupter, the .combination with relativelymovable contact menibers, and -an oil-containing receptacle for' said members of an expansion chamber removably attached to said .oil receptacle at its iob upperend, means for reducing the result-f ant pressure on the movable parts when the contact members separate, and a pipe'com municating with said expansion chambc;

members ,disposml therein.

- 2. In a circuit interrupter," the combination withstationary and .movablecontact anembers, of an expansion chamber supporting said stationary contact i'i'iembers, an oil Ina circuit interrupter, the comli ina-.

tion with relatively movable cooperating contact members, and anoiljcontaining receptacle for said members ha ring unopenin the-upper portionthin-ml. o'l' acplurality of :COIllffll ballle members disposed in said opening, the several ballle members ha ring staggered segmental recesses tlurrcin.

l. In a' circuit"interrupter the cnoibination with. relatiyely movable cooperating Contact members, of a-liquid-containing tank for said members, a casing embody 1g an expansion cliamber'of liberal cap city discontact members, of a liquid-containing tank for sald members, a casing embodying an expansion chamber disposed above said tank,

and a pipe communicating with said chamber and having a plurality of recessed conical members disposed therein.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribedmy name this 30th day of J anuary, 1913.

JOSEPH N. MAHONEY. Witnesses B. B. HINEs, M. C. MERz. 

